Moline native homers in first two at-bats of five-RBI game that helps halt Quad Cities' four-game skid

CLINTON, Iowa (April 22, 2014) – Shortstop Thomas Lindauer blasted two-run home runs in each of his first two at-bats as part of a 3-for-4, five-RBI game to lead the Quad Cities River Bandits to snap a four-game losing streak with an 11-2 win over the Clinton LumberKings at Ashford University Field Tuesday afternoon.

Playing his second consecutive game as the first-ever Quad Cities native position player to appear for the Midwest League franchise, Lindauer began the River Bandits' scoring by following catcher Jobduan Morales' leadoff walk with a drive to the lawn beyond the left-field fence off left-hander Eddie Campbell (1-1). Left fielder Tanner Mathis followed with a single to center field, and first baseman Chase McDonald drove in Mathis with a two-out double to right-center field for a 3-0 lead.

In the fourth inning, Quad Cities (8-10) added to its advantage by batting around. Right fielder Brett Phillips tripled to center field, and third baseman Alex Gonzalez, making his Midwest League debut, doubled to right field for an RBI. Morales hit a chopper to first baseman Justin Seager, whose misplay allowed Gonzalez to score for a 5-0 score. Lindauer stepped in again and lifted a 3-1 Campbell offering over the left-center field fence underneath the scoreboard to make it 7-0. It marked the first multi-homer game by a River Bandit this season.

Right-hander Adrian Houser held the LumberKings (9-8) scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning, when he allowed the first three batters to reach base. Left fielder Tyler O'Neill and designated hitter Austin Wilson each singled, and Houser walked third baseman Joe DeCarlo. With the bases loaded, Houser got first baseman Justin Seager to ground to Lindauer, who stepped on second base and threw to first base for a double play that brought in Clinton's first run. Catcher Christian Carmichael singled in another run to close it to 7-2. Houser was finished after four innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits and four walks with three strikeouts.

After Campbell allowed seven runs – six earned – in 3 1/3 innings, right-hander Tommy Burns walked the first batter he faced before retiring 11 in a row to complete 3 2/3 innings. Meanwhile, Quad Cities brought in right-hander Patrick Christensen (1-1) for a scoreless fifth inning, and right-hander Gonzalo Sanudo, entering in the sixth inning, retired the first seven batters he faced. Sanudo allowed a pair of singles in the eighth inning but struck out DeCarlo to complete three innings and stretch his season-opening scoreless streak to 13 innings.

In the Quad Cities eighth inning, LumberKings right-hander Ramire Cleto allowed a two-out double by Morales and Lindauer's RBI single to center field for an 8-2 River Bandits lead. Cleto also gave up two walks, two hits and three more runs in the ninth inning, as McDonald smacked his second RBI double, and Gonzalez drove a two-run double to cap a 2-for-5, three-RBI debut and extend the lead to 11-2.

Right-hander Andrew Walter worked around a one-out walk for a scoreless ninth inning. It was just the fifth game in the River Bandits' first 18 this season that has been decided by more than two runs.

UP NEXT: Markdown Monday opens the next River Bandits homestand on April 28. Bleacher and berm tickets, as well as hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn and nachos are $2 each. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. game against the Clinton LumberKings. Tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com. To order any of the ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: Having just been named Ballpark Digest's winner of Best Ballpark Improvement in America under $1 million, the River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 110 feet over the playing field, is opening in May, along with a carousel, a new ride called a "Drop and Twist," an expanded 300-foot long zip line, and many other new games and attractions. In 2013, the team unveiled a new 220-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, and a number of new bounce houses. The team's major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, just saw all six of its affiliates reach the playoffs - the first time in a decade any MLB team can claim such success. The River Bandits were one of three affiliates to reach the championship round and one of two to win their league championship.

CLINTON, Iowa (April 21, 2014) – Moline, Ill., native Thomas Lindauer smacked two hits in his Quad Cities River Bandits debut, but the Clinton LumberKings scored two runs in the eighth inning to come back and beat Quad Cities, 7-6, at Ashford University Field Monday night. The loss was Quad Cities’ fourth in a row.

Holding onto a 6-5 lead in the eighth inning, River Bandtis right-hander Zach Morton hit Burt Reynolds with an 0-2 fastball inside before walking Tyler O’Neill. After Austin Wilson sacrificed the runners to second and third, respectively, Morton (0-1), pitching into his third inning out of the bullpen, threw a wild pitch to Joe DeCarlo, allowing Reynolds to score from third and tie the game at six. DeCarlo then drove a fastball over the head of Quad Cities center fielder James Ramsay to bring in O’Neill and give Clinton the 7-6 lead.

Trailing 5-2 in the seventh, Quad Cities scored four runs to grab its first lead since the third inning. Tanner Mathis got things started with an opposite-field single off Leoncio Munoz. Ramsay followed by launching a fastball that one-hopped the wall in right-center, sprinting to third for his third triple of the season and scoring Mathis from first to make the score 5-3. Tyler White then roped a single to left to score Ramsay. Conrad Gregor and Brett Booth each followed with a single to load the bases with nobody out.

Clinton turned to left-hander Blake Holovach, who got Brian Holberton to ground into a 6-4-3 double play, which scored White to tie the game, 5-5. Brett Phillips then singled up the middle to bring in Gregor and give Quad Cities the 6-5 advantage. Holovach (1-0) was able to get out of the inning when Reynolds threw out Phillips at third base after Lindauer singled.

The River Bandits had a similar situation in the first inning, loading the bases against Clinton starter Edwin Diaz to start the game. But Diaz got Gregor to bounce into a 3-6-1 double play, limiting the damage to one run in the inning and foreshadowing the result of the situation in the seventh. Quad Cities would chase Diaz after 4 1/3 innings in which he surrendered two runs - one earned - on seven hits, two walks and two strikeouts. Despite outhitting Clinton 15-7, the Bandits were 3-for-15 with runners in scoring position.

Clinton took its first lead of the game in the third. With two outs and a runner on first and Quad Cities up 2-0, starter Evan Grills surrendered a double to Zach Shank to place runners on second and third. The next batter, Marcus Littlewood, took Grills out to deep left on a fastball for his second home run of the season. Grills went five innings, allowing three runs on four hits with four punchouts.

With Grills out of the game in the sixth and the score still 3-2, the LumberKings were able to add to their lead against Michael Feliz. With one out, the right-hander clipped Reynolds with a fastball, got O’Neill to line out to right on a catch by Phillips near the line, and then walked Wilson and DeCarlo to load the bases. Jeff Zimmerman then punched a single into right to score two and chase Feliz after two-thirds of an inning. Morton recorded the final out of the inning to keep the score at 5-2.

Emilio Pagan worked the ninth to record his fourth save as Quad Cities fell to 7-10 overall and 3-6 in one-run games on the season. The LumberKings won their fourth straight to improve to 9-7. River Bandits right-hander Adrian Houser (0-0) will face LumberKings left-hander Eddie Campbell (1-0) in the second game of the four-game set at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.

UP NEXT: Markdown Monday opens the next River Bandits homestand on April 28. Bleacher and berm tickets, as well as hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn and nachos are $2 each. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. game against the Clinton LumberKings. Tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com. To order any of the ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: Having just been named Ballpark Digest's winner of Best Ballpark Improvement in America under $1 million, the River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 110 feet over the playing field, is opening in May, along with a carousel, a new ride called a "Drop and Twist," an expanded 300-foot long zip line, and many other new games and attractions. In 2013, the team unveiled a new 220-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, and a number of new bounce houses. The team's major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, just saw all six of its affiliates reach the playoffs - the first time in a decade any MLB team can claim such success. The River Bandits were one of three affiliates to reach the championship round and one of two to win their league championship.

ALLEN, Texas (April 20, 2014) – Bryan Pitton made 23 saves, Bruce Graham broke a third period deadlock and Spencer Asuchak provided a late empty net goal as the host Allen Americans defeated the Quad City Mallards Sunday night to even of the best-of-seven Central Hockey League semi-finals at one win apiece.

Graham tipped what proved to be the winning goal past Mallard goaltender Thomas Heemskerk (29 saves) at 7:43 of the third. Pitton and the Americans held off the Mallards the rest of the way until Asuchak wrapped up the victory with just 17 seconds remaining.

The series shifts to the Quad Cities for game three Wednesday night, game four Friday evening and game five Saturday night. Each of those contests will face off at 7:05 p.m. Should a sixth game be required, the series would move back to Allen on Tuesday night, April 29. If the series goes the distance, the Americans would host the seventh and deciding game on Wednesday evening, April 30.

Game three tickets (other than glass seats) are available for just $3. Tickets for Mallards home playoff games can be purchased in person at the iWireless Center box office, online at ticketmaster.com, at Ticketmaster outlets or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000. The ticket office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.

ALLEN, Texas (April 18, 2014) – Thomas Frazee and Jordan Mayer both provided a goal and an assist and Thomas Heemskerk made 32 saves as the Quad City Mallards defeated the host Allen Americans 4-2 Friday night in game one of the best-of-seven Central Hockey League semi-finals.

Frazee provided the perfect response at 13:24 of the second period after the Americans scored twice in two minutes and 18 seconds to wipe out what had been a 2-0 Mallard lead. Frazee shoveled in Jeff Lee’s goalmouth feed to put the Mallards back on top for good.

The Mallards grabbed their second two goal lead when Mayer tipped in Darren McMillan’s drive from the right point at 4:19 of the third period. Heemskerk shut the door on the Americans by making 16 saves in the third.

The Mallards had first moved in front with a goal from Jordan Fox at 11:02 of the first period. Fox stole the puck from the Americans’ Mike Berube at the Allen blue line, raced in alone through the right wing circle and jammed the puck in from the side of the net.

The Mallards widened the gap to two when Gergo Nagy deflected the puck home from close range at 4:03 of the second period. The Americans rebounded with rapid-fire goals from Bruce Grahame and Anthony Maiani. Graham pounced on a loose puck on the doorstep at 7:28; at 9:46 Maiani jumped on a rebound to cash in an Americans power play and even the score at two. Frazee, however, would step up to provide what proved to be the game winner just under five minutes later.

The Mallards and Americans meet again in game two Sunday evening in Allen. The series will shift to the Quad Cities for game three next Wednesday night, April 23 and game four next Friday evening, April 25. Both of those contests will face off at 7:05 p.m., as would a potential fifth game which, if necessary, will be played next Saturday, April 26 at the iWireless Center. Should a sixth game be required, the series would move back to Allen on Tuesday night, April 29. If the series goes the distance, the Americans would host the seventh and deciding game on Wednesday evening, April 30.

Game three tickets (other than glass seats) are available for just $3. Tickets for Mallards home playoff games can be purchased in person at the iWireless Center box office, online at ticketmaster.com, at Ticketmaster outlets or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000. The ticket office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.

About the Quad City MallardsA proud affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League’s Iowa Wild, the Quad City Mallards are in the midst of their seventeenth season their fourth in the Central Hockey League. One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007 and in the International Hockey League in 2009-10. The Mallards’ proud history has seen them capture the UHL’s Colonial Cup Championship three times (1997, 1998, 2001) and secure that league’s Tarry Cup four times (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002) for the best overall regular season record. In 2001, the Mallards made professional hockey history, recording their sixth consecutive season with 50 or more wins, a feat that has yet to be matched. The iWireless Center provides a unique environment for hockey and features one-of-a-kind seating areas such as the Nest for groups and functions and the exclusive Drake Club. For more information on the Quad City Mallards or for Mallards tickets go to www.myqcmallards.net. Fans can also follow the Mallards via Twitter at twitter.com/myqcmallardsand on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/quadcitymallards.

MOLINE, Ill. (April 18, 2014) – Tickets for the Quad City Mallards’ best-of-seven Central Hockey League semi-final series against the Allen Americans are now on sale.

After opening the series on the road tonight and playing game two in Allen Sunday evening, the Mallards will return home to host game three next Wednesday night, April 23 at 7:05 p.m. Game three tickets (other than glass seats) are available for just $3.

Friday evening brings not only game four between the Mallards and Americans but also the return of the Mallards’ popular $1 Dog/$1 Dollar Beer Night presented by 97X. While Friday’s contest will face off at 7:05 p.m., iWireless Center doors will open at 6:00 p.m. and $1 beers will be available at arena concession stands from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. $1 hot dogs will be available throughout the game. If a fifth game is necessary, the Mallards will host that contest on Saturday, April 26 at 7:05 p.m. Tickets for games four and (if necessary) five are available for $10, $12 and $25.

The Mallards have also partnered with Metro, which provides earlier service on the Route 59 between Augustana College and downtown Moline during Friday home games. The Route 59 will make one trip from campus to downtown Moline prior to the game (arriving at 5th Avenue and 15th Street at 6:30 p.m.) and will resume service from downtown to campus every 30 minutes from 10:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. Regular Metro fares are just $1 one-way or $2 round-trip. As part of Metro’s unlimited ride program, Augustana riders can use their Augustana ID as their fare. Visit www.gogreenmetro.com or www.facebook.com/53and59 for more information.

Fans can get a free ticket for any Mallards home playoff game courtesy of Mama Bosso pizza by presenting a receipt showing the purchase of three (3) Mama Bosso pizzas or three proofs of purchase from Mama Bosso pizza at the the iWireless Center box office or at the Mallards' business office.

Tickets for Mallards home playoff games can be purchased in person at the iWireless Center box office, online at ticketmaster.com, at Ticketmaster outlets or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000. The ticket office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.

Should the Mallards’ match-up with the Americans require a sixth game, the series would move back to Allen on Tuesday night, April 29. If the series goes the distance, the Americans would host the seventh and deciding game on Wednesday evening, April 30.

The Mallards have teamed with T.G.I. Friday’s in Moline and the Lodge in Bettendorf to host watch parties for Mallards road playoff games. Fans are invited to watch all of the action in the company of their fellow Mallards supporters when the Mallards open round two tonight at 7:05 p.m. and when they take on the Americans in game two Sunday at 5:05 p.m. Watch parties will also be held for potential sixth and seventh games of the series.

T.G.I. Friday’s is located at 1425 River Drive in Moline, adjacent to the iWireless Center. Fans who prefer to watch the Mallards in Iowa can enjoy the playoff action in the lounge of the Lodge Hotel and Conference Center, which is located at 900 Spruce Hills Drive in Bettendorf. T.G.I. Friday’s will offer half price appetizers to Mallards fans during the watch party. Fans who flock to the Lodge can join the watch parties for just a $3 cover charge and enjoy $1.50 drafts and hot dogs.